The men atop the two chambers of the Illinois General Assembly have some ideas on how to navigate politics.… MORE
Category Archives: State News
Mercury opens in Springfield
A new consultancy/public relations/lobbying firm is open in downtown Springfield, and the people behind it know their way around politics and government.… MORE
Fall veto session recap from Springfield
The fall veto session has come and gone in Springfield with only one major accomplishment: allowing construction of nuclear power plants after a 36-year moratorium.… MORE
Gov. Pritzker set to sign off on construction of new nuclear facilities
The governor’s office says he will sign a bill allowing – after 36 years – construction of new nuclear facilities.… MORE
Top economist shares his thoughts on U.S. economy in Springfield
A top economist shared his thoughts with a Springfield breakfast audience Wednesday. Curtis Dubay, chief economist of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said anything having to do with the economy has to do with the post-covid worker shortage.… MORE
Illinois’ community colleges teaming up for a new marketing plan
If you live near a community college in Illinois, get used to this phrase: “For Every Student, For Every Community” is the slogan for the newly named system, “The Community Colleges of Illinois.… MORE
State legislature could lift a moratorium on building new nuclear plants
The Illinois legislature could have something to show for the 2023 fall veto session: allowing new nuclear power facilities again after a 36-year moratorium. … MORE
Weekly USDA crop report
There were 5.6 days suitable for field work during the week ending November 5, 2023. … MORE
Downstate State Senator says it’s time for Gov. Pritzker to get off the road and come back to Springfield
Illinois Senate Democrats used the break between the two weeks of veto session Wednesday to deride Gov. JB Pritzker as someone who mismanages government while campaigning outside Illinois.… MORE
State Police Director provides an update on the shooting of a State Trooper last week
The state trooper injured during a traffic stop a week ago along Toronto Road suffered more than a mere gunshot wound to the leg. … MORE
Blogs
Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all
By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year. It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …
Is federal mobilization the answer?
By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city. Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…
In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans
By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…
Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life
Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University. We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk. Going to work every day for some people means…